Netherlands Goes Into Knockout Stage Perfect, Beats Cameroon 2-1

The Netherlands made it three wins in three knockout stage matches, defeating Cameroon 2-1 on a late Klass-Jan Huntelaar goal. The Dutch win Group E, finishing on nine points, and will meet Slovakia in the next round.

The Netherlands opened scoring in the first half with a Robin van Persie goal, finished from eight yards out under an onrushing Souleymane Hamidou. Cameroon equalized in the second half when Samuel Eto’o converted a penalty kick awarded after a Rafael van der Vaart hand ball. Holland won the match on Huntelaar’s goal, putting home the rebound of a Arjen Robben shot.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar reaped the benefits of Arjen Robben’s return, converting a rebound of the Dutch winger’s shot, putting the Netherlands up 2-1.

Robben turned on a ball he had tracked down behind the Cameroon defense and unleashed a left-footed shot against Souleymane Hamidou’s post. The ball bounced off the woodwork to Huntelaar, who put the ball home for Holland’s second goal.

Robin van Persie’s 37th minute goal highlights a surprisingly even first half, with the Nehterlands going into the locker rooms with a 1-0 lead.

Van Persie slid a right footed shot under Souleymanou Hamidou in the 37th minute, finishing a Rafael van der Vaart pass to give Holland their only first half goal of the tournament.

It took 37 minutes, but the Netherlands finally broke through Cameroon, the first time they’ve scored in the first half in this year’s World Cup.

Rafael van der Vaart ball through the left side of Cameroon’s defense put Robin van Persie in on Souleymanou Hamidou, the Arsenal striker sliding a right-footed shot under the Cameroon `keeper, giving Holland a 1-0 lead.

There is no phrase in U.S. sporting culture analogous to “dead rubber” - probably a good thing. With the long baseball, basketball and hockey seasons, the soccer term used to describe a inconsequential match would be used more often than a Stuart Scott verbal lobotomizer.

Expect a number of chances for both teams. The Netherlands see Nigel de Jong, Gregory van der Wiel and Robin van Persie carrying yellow cards. They’re unlikely to play. For Cameroon, expect some younger players to see time to not only get players experience but also give the Lions, carrying zero points into today’s match, a changed look.